Exodus 35 25

Exodus 35:25 kjv

And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.

Exodus 35:25 nkjv

All the women who were gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands, and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.

Exodus 35:25 niv

Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun?blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen.

Exodus 35:25 esv

And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.

Exodus 35:25 nlt

All the women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen cloth.

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 25 Meaning

Exodus 35:25 highlights the generous and skillful contribution of the Israelite women towards the construction of the Tabernacle. It specifically details their active role in spinning various precious threads—blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen—which were essential and highly valuable materials for the sacred tent and its coverings, demonstrating their devoted heart and God-given skill.

Exodus 35 25 Context

Exodus 35 describes the call for contributions and skilled labor to build the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place among His people, as previously commanded in Ex 25-31. Following the devastating incident of the golden calf (Ex 32), this chapter marks a turning point, showing the renewed obedience and zeal of the Israelites in responding to God's directives. Moses reiterates the Sabbath laws, and then immediately details the freewill offerings. Verses 20-29 depict the overwhelming generosity of the people. Verse 25 specifically highlights the unique and invaluable contribution of women in preparing essential textiles, underscoring their integral role in this sacred communal effort. Historically, spinning and weaving were primary household tasks for women, making their contribution both significant for their specific skills and highly valuable given the preciousness of the dyes and the fine quality of the linen required for the Tabernacle. This collective effort, encompassing all strata and skills of society, implicitly contrasted with ancient pagan worship often funded by kings or through forced labor, showcasing a people united by willing hearts to worship the True God.

Exodus 35 25 Word analysis

• Every (כֹּל - kol):
  • Signifies universal inclusion; no woman who possessed the designated skill was excluded or chose to be excluded. It emphasizes a collective, widespread contribution from the entire female population capable of the work.
  • This reflects a broad communal spirit, not just a select few.
• wise-hearted (חֲכְמוֹת לֵב - chakh'mot lev):
  • "Wise" (חֲכְמוֹת - chakh'mot) comes from chakham, meaning wise, skillful, expert.
  • "Heart" (לֵב - lev) in Hebrew thought is the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character.
  • Thus, "wise-hearted" implies a God-given spiritual wisdom that manifested in practical skill and craftsmanship. It’s not merely natural aptitude, but divinely inspired ability. This aligns with God empowering Bezalel and Oholiab.
  • It points to discernment and intelligence applied to their craft.
• women (נָשִׁים - nashim):
  • Explicitly names women, highlighting their distinct and vital contribution. This acknowledges their expertise and the value placed on their labor within the community's most sacred project.
  • It refutes any notion of male-exclusive service or skill for the Tabernacle's construction.
• spun (טָווּ - tavu):
  • Refers to the act of twisting fibers into thread. It describes a meticulous, time-consuming, and skilled process fundamental to ancient textile production.
  • Emphasizes the actual physical labor involved.
• with their hands (בְּיָדֵיהֶן - b'yadeihen):
  • Reinforces the personal effort and manual dexterity required. It highlights the direct, tangible engagement of the women in the work.
  • Underlines their dedication and the fruit of their own hard labor.
• and brought (וַיָּבִיאוּ - vayyavi'u):
  • Denotes the act of presentation and offering. It's not just making, but actively contributing what was made to the communal project.
  • Conveys their willingness and active participation in the act of giving.
• what they had spun (אֶת מַטְוֵה - et matveh):
  • Refers to the finished threads or yarn, the direct product of their spinning. This specifies the material they contributed.
  • Highlights the immediate usability of their processed contribution.
• the blue (הַתְּכֵלֶת - ha'tkhelet):
  • A costly, highly esteemed dye, often produced from specific Murex sea snails. Symbolized divinity, revelation, and the heavens, and was prescribed for holy garments and Tabernacle elements (Ex 26:1, 31).
  • Its use indicated sanctity and royalty.
• and the purple (וְהָאַרְגָּמָן - veha'argaman):
  • Another extremely expensive and difficult-to-produce dye, associated with royalty, power, and prestige (Judg 8:26, Prov 31:22).
  • Signified sovereign authority and holiness, often alongside blue.
• the scarlet (וְתוֹלַעַת הַשָּׁנִי - ve'tola'at ha'shani):
  • A vibrant red dye, obtained from an insect (coccus ilicis). It was often associated with life, vitality, and importantly, atonement and purification in Levitical rituals (Lev 14:4, 6, 49).
  • Its brilliance served to highlight certain Tabernacle components.
• and the fine linen (וְהַשֵּׁשׁ - veha'sheshe):
  • High-quality, very white linen, suggesting purity, righteousness, and cleanliness. Often used for priestly garments and sacred textiles due to its symbolic significance and fine texture.
  • An important component for the inner layers of the Tabernacle and its veils.

Word-group analysis:

• Every wise-hearted woman: Emphasizes that skill was broadly distributed among women and was seen as a divinely imparted gift of discernment and practical expertise. This validates the abilities of many.
• Spun with their hands and brought: This sequence illustrates the entire process of their contribution: from the arduous labor of preparation to the act of presentation, reflecting a full commitment and generous spirit.
• Blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen: This listing of precious and ritually significant materials highlights the exceptional quality and symbolic value of their specific contribution, materials reserved for God’s sacred dwelling. It indicates the importance of precise, commanded specifications.

Exodus 35 25 Bonus section

The deep colors—blue, purple, and scarlet—were incredibly difficult and expensive to produce in the ancient world, often requiring thousands of murex snails for a small amount of dye or special insects. Their inclusion points not just to skill, but also to significant investment and value, making the women's offering profoundly generous. The act of spinning itself was a communal activity, fostering unity and shared purpose among the women as they contributed to a singular, divine project. This collaborative spirit, fueled by devotion, reflects a practical manifestation of God's desire for His people to serve Him wholeheartedly with whatever talents and resources they possess. It is a powerful example of faithful stewardship of God-given abilities for His kingdom work.

Exodus 35 25 Commentary

Exodus 35:25 beautifully encapsulates the Israelite community's active and willing participation in building the Tabernacle. It specifically elevates the contribution of women, acknowledging their essential role, their innate skill ("wise-hearted"), and their diligent labor ("spun with their hands"). The mention of the specific high-value dyes (blue, purple, scarlet) and fine linen underscores the preciousness and ritual significance of their handiwork, which was indispensable for the Tabernacle's beauty and sanctity. This verse illustrates that service to God encompasses all abilities, genders, and stations, provided the contribution comes from a willing and skillful heart. It showcases how practical talents, divinely endowed, are to be offered freely for the advancement of God's dwelling among His people, mirroring principles of diverse spiritual gifts in the New Covenant. The women's quiet, diligent service contrasts with any grand, overt displays, affirming the value of humble and persistent work for God's glory.